"I Can Promise You, We Had No Idea That 'Obsession' Was Going To Become 'Obsession'", Says Hit Horror Film's Seller — Zurich Summit
News Source
β’Sat, 26 Sep 2026 17:27:03 +0000
π° What Happened
Film sellers at the Zurich Summit admitted they did not expect two horror films to become huge hits. The films are Obsession and Backrooms. The panel looked at the independent film business.
CAA's Roeg Sutherland said his team sold Obsession but never guessed how big it would become. It was made for about 1 million dollars. It went on to earn about 264 million dollars in the US and 520 million worldwide.
Backrooms director Kane Parsons also said he was not sure how the film would land before release.
π The Backstory
Obsession was sold to Focus Features after the Toronto film festival. Backrooms, made by A24, earned about 400 million dollars worldwide from a 10 million dollar budget.
Speakers said success comes from backing filmmakers, not just famous stories or genres. CAA's Sarah Schweitzman said this summer's American box office was record-breaking, at 4.7 billion dollars.
She said audiences want films that feel honest and a little irreverent.
π― Why It Matters
Horror and low-budget films can become surprise hits. That keeps money flowing into cinemas and gives new directors a chance to make more films.
Film sellers at the Zurich Summit admitted they did not expect two horror films to become huge hits. The films are Obsession and Backrooms. The panel looked at the independent film business.
CAA's Roeg Sutherland said his team sold Obsession but never guessed how big it would become. It was made for about 1 million dollars. It went on to earn about 264 million dollars in the US and 520 million worldwide.
Backrooms director Kane Parsons also said he was not sure how the film would land before release.
Obsession was sold to Focus Features after the Toronto film festival. Backrooms, made by A24, earned about 400 million dollars worldwide from a 10 million dollar budget.
Speakers said success comes from backing filmmakers, not just famous stories or genres. CAA's Sarah Schweitzman said this summer's American box office was record-breaking, at 4.7 billion dollars.
She said audiences want films that feel honest and a little irreverent.
Horror and low-budget films can become surprise hits. That keeps money flowing into cinemas and gives new directors a chance to make more films.